Water-supply regulator



July 22, 1930.

R. A. BROOKS 1,770,909

WATER SUPPLY REGULATOR Filed Feb. 10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a. AWN,

July 22, 1930. R. A. BROOKS WATER. SUPPLY REGULATOR v Filed Feb. 10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 may.

Patented July 1930 UNITBDYISTAT PATENT. OF CE ROBERT L imooxs; or cnIcae-o, rumors wA'rEn-surrLY- REGULATOR .hpplication filed February 10, 1928. Serial No.87,201.

My. invention relates to regulators for controlling the volume, pressure and velocity of water flow, and has for its object to prov de an improved regulator which will be especlally' adapted for use with flushing. tanks of water closets p r V controlledinletwalve, to insure the noiseless operation of the'v'alve mechanism under all conditions, regardless of whether the water is supplied to the tank under .high or under .low pressure. The use of high pressure water supply in water closet installations has become quite extensive, but aserious objecwaterway, but while such devices reduce the.

noise to some extent it isvat the expense of the volumeof flow, so that when such constructions are installed for use under low pressure an nisuflicient How is obtained and the results are not satisfactory. By my present invention I avoid the ob ections.to priorconstructions and not only eliminate noise practically altogether, but also provide for maintaining an adequate flow under low pressure as well asunder high pressure. The nature of my invention will appear from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichl Fig. l is a side elevation ofa flush water tank such as are commonly used in connection with water closets, one side being partly broken away to show the operating parts contained therein;

Fig. 2 is a partialvertical section ofthe tank showing the valve mechanism for controlling the adnnsslon of water thereto,-" 1n.-

eluding my improved regulator, the latter being shown in section;

ded with the usual float- .seat'; and

Fi x'3- is a perspective view of a tubular mem er that constitutes a support and guide for certain parts of the regulator;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the regulator valve element;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of they valve Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6-6 OfjFig; 2, looking up.

It will be understood that while I have 0 shown my invention as applied to a water closet .flushing apparatus and in this specifi-. cation I shallde'scribe such application thereof specifically,my improved regulator is not limited to 'juse solely for such purposes, as itmay be employed in other situations, and for-controllingthe supply of either cold or hot water, or steam or other fluids under pressure. The claims hereinafter made shouldtherefore be construed accordingly.

Referring now to the drawings,-7 indicates a flush watertank, 8 the outlet therefrom through whichthe flush water is discharged,- and 9 the water supply pipe through which water is admitted to said tank. The outlet 8 is controlled by a vertically moveable valve 10 adapted to seat in the open upper endof a fitting 11, said valve being arranged to be moved vertically to flush the closet bymeans of a rod 12 connected with a lever 13 adapted to be rocked by a handle 14 located at one side of the tank, in the usual way. An

overfl'owpipe 15 is associated withthe fitting 11, which supports a bracket 16 that forms a 'guidefor the rod 12.- These parts. are preferably constructed and arranged as shown and described in my pending application,-Serial No. 85,137, filed February 1, 1926, but they may be of any, other approved constructions As best shown in Fig. '2, the supply pipe 9 is fitted in an opening in the bottom of the tank -7 and is provided with a head 17 at its upper end which is drawn down against a washer 18 interposed between it and the upper. surface of the bottom of the tank by meansof a collar 19 screwed upon thelower end of said pipeand bearing against the un- '60. is adapted to screw thereupon and to abut pipe 9 provided with I internal screw threads ,to receive a screw threaded nipple-20 I at the lower endof a casting '21 which forms the body of the regulator. Said body is mainly in the form of 'a cylinder having a verticalLy disposed chamber 22 between the lower end of' which and the nipple 20 is a short sleeve 23 that forms a valve seat. Said seat is adapted to be screwed into the lower v end portion of the body 21 above the nipple and its upper end forms a' seat for the valve hereinafter described. .Said seat may readily be adjusted or removed owing to its screw-threaded connection with the body 21. The upper portion of the body is provided with a laterally disposed branch or elbow 24,

with which the lower end of .an inlet pipe 25 has screw-threaded connection. The pipe 25 carries at its upper end a valve casing 26 in which is mounted suitable valve mechanism, operated by the usual float, for controlling the admission and cutting off of the water I supplied to the tank 7. Preferably such valve mechanism is of the construction shown and described in my pending application, Serial No. 56,296, filed September'14, 1925, but it may be of any other approved construction. It will sufiice for present .purposes to say that such valve mechanism is controlled by a float 27 connected by a rod 28 to a verf tically swinging arm 29, the rocking of which controls the positionofa valve 30 operating in thecasing 26. When the float drops the valve .30 opens, and when the float rises to its' normal-positionl the valve closes. A pipe 31 leadingjfrom the casingv 26 delivers water 'tothegtank through a pressure jet32 and 'alsofdeliver's water to .the overflow pipe 15. thr

af-refill pipe 33; un din,

fljf tendingdown thereinto in axial the valve seat 23 is a tubularguide ;34feiiternally screw-threaded near its end,: asshown at 35, to screw into .the upper end ofjthe body 21. It will be noted that .thefthreaded portion 35 has a taper thread so that it may be screwed down tightly 41 fits over the upper end of the screw 37 and against the upper end of the boss 36, to make a tight closure at that point around the screw. Said cap being closed except at ts lower end, leakage around the screw is prevented.

At the lower end of the screw 37 and fitted lie-upper portion of the bodyupon the as... as isa coiled spring 42 that extends down below the lower end of said, stem and 1nto a pocket 43formedin the upper elongated bearing portion of a valve 44 arranged coaxially with the screw '37, as shown in ig. 2, The lower end ofjthespring 42 bears against the bottom of the pocket 43 and therefore tends to force the valve 44 downward when the spring is in operative position as hereinafter ex lained, The'v'alve 44 s o the needle type, f eing provided with a pointed conical lower end 45 that seats-in the upper end of the seat 23, and coacts therewith to forma tight closure. As best shown in Fig. 4, the sides 46 of-the elongated bearing portion ofthe valve 44 are flattened to form longitud nally extending corners 47 that are flattened or bevelled to bear against the inner face of the sleeve 34, the diameter of the valve at such corners being such that when the valve is in place they will bear againstvthe inner wall of-the sleeve, which consequently serves as a guide for the valve during its vertical movement. Said valve extends up a consider-].

able distance into the lower end ofthe sleeve,

.as shown in Fig. 2, so that the valve is at all times prevented from vibrating laterally. The needle portion, or pointed lower end of the valve also, aids-in preventing vibration because it breaks up the stream of incoming water and distributes it uniformly-around the valve as it passes to the pipe 25. Above the upper end of the .valve the sleeve 34 is provided with an opening 48 affording communication between the interiorof said sleeve and the-chamber 22 in the body 21, to equalize the pressure at opposite ends of the valve. It will be noted also that the lower end of the sleeve 34 extends down'below the elbow 24 so that water flowing in either direction be tween the body 21 and the pipe 25 flows around said sleeve. 1

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that by adjusting the screw 37 vertically the tension of the spring 42 may be varied to regulate the pressure of the valve 44 upon its seat, or torelieve the valve entirely from spring pressure. Where the regulator is installed for use with a low pressure water supply the screw 37 is moved out of operative engagement with the spring by upward adjustment of the screw 37, so that the valve may move vertically freely, but where in-H stalled for use with a high pressure water supply the tension .of the spring is applied to the valve, to hold it on its seat under the desired pressure, by downward adjustment of said screw.

The operation of improved apparatus ing'water whenever the fioatcontrolled valve is' opened.'-- When the water isfirst turned on the pressure lifts the valve 44 so that the water may flow up throu h thebody 21 and elbow. 24 to-the pipe 25, w ence it is admitted .to the flushing tank under the regulation of the float controlled valve therein, in the usual way. When the 'pipe 25 has been filled and the float controlled valve 30 is closed, the

pressure in the pipe 25 and chamber 22'becomes equalized with the pressure in the supply pipe 9 so that the valve 44'closes, but

.whenever the valve 30 is opened by the oper- Consequently, when the water is first turned on the excess water supply pressure of fifty pounds would lift the valve fromits seat and would fill the pipe 25. If the tank were full the float controlled valve 30 would be closed, and, therefore, as 'soon as the pipe 25 had been filled the valve 44 would be closed under the action of the spring 42,

which would become eflective in ,view of the balanced pressure above and below the valve Seat 23. Upon the opening of the float controlled-valve 30 duringthe flushing operation thewaterwill flow into the chamber 22 "under a pressure-of-fift pounds, as the valve'f44 would a be lifted rom its seat by the-i wateri supply pressure, and according 'ly there. wouldthen be an unrestricted flow undr full pressure into the tank. Upon the closingfof the' -valve 30 the pressure above and below theseat 23 would again become -,-'equalize'd, permitting the valve 44 to close under the pressure of the spring 42, but as the valve 30 is -'closed gradually the valve 44 would also closeigraduully, due to the gradual increase of "the reactlonary pressure in the pipe 25 andchamber 22, so that noise or Water hammer, which is ordinarily caused by suddenfclosure' of a-valve against con-' siderable water pressure, would be avoided. Furthermore, as the valve is held against vibration by the sleeve 34 whistling noises from that source areav'oided. Obviously the screw 37 may be adjusted to vary the effective tension of the spring 42within rather wide limits, so that the regulator may be adjusted to operate properly] under almost any practicable water supply pressure. In practice,

, using a valve seat of one quarter inch diameter I would employ a spring which would require a pressure of twenty pounds to fully compress it, and in an installation using a water supply under one hundred pounds ressurea five ound-spring pressure would sufiicient to c ose the valve. Therefore,-b

puttinga tension oftwoand one-half poun s the valve 44. will offer a re-' onthe spring sistance of -fi ty pounds tojthe water supply pressure of one hundredfpounds. IWhen the tank is empty and the ball cock is fully opened the fifty pounds excess pressure of the water supply will causethe' valve 44 to openfully and provide-an unrestricted passage so long as water-continuestofflow' into water rises in the tank the oat valve gradually closes andthis in turn creates a pressure above the regulating valve 44,- with the the. tank, but, as above ex lained, aslthe 1 resultfthat- -it starts' to close automaticallvU The effect of these various. actions is that as the ball cock. closes the regulator valve .Will close I simultaneously with it, developing pressure betweenthe two valves which gradually equalizes'the fluid pressure at opposite ends of the valve and efl'ectively'sto s the noise that would otherwise. be caused rush of water at high pressure, throug thereduction in the area/of the passage at the the.

seat caused by the closing of the regulating valve. Should an obstruction interfere with the flow of water past the regulating valve the latter will rise. suiiicien'tlyto permit a full volume of flow and allow the obstructi'onto pass through, after which the valve will resume its normal'position. The sleeve 34 not only holds. the valve 44 against vibration as above stated, but also removes it from the influence of the rapidly moving body of water, which would tend to cause vibration and noi'se,';and makes it work smoothly and silently. v

7 The parts may be made of any suitable materi'al, but I prefer to; makethe spring of.

phosphor bronze or other non-corrosive metal. As there are no packings, such as discs, washers, hydraulic cups and packedv stems in my improved regulator, when the parts are'once adjustedand set no further care is required, and although the working parts are entirely enclosed and sealed, they can easily be removed for inspection or replacement. By providing the valve with fiat sides, with corner hearings on the rounded sleeve 34, it has greater freedom-of action and has no tendency to stick. The cap. at

the upper end of the screw not only serves i to prevent leakage, but also acts as a lock nut to hold the screw 37 in its different positions 7 of adjustment. I

I wish it to be understood that while it have described with considerable detail the particular embodiment ofz-my invention illustrated in the drawings, my invention is not limited to such specific construction, but includes such variations or modifications thereof as would occur to those skilled in the art. It should be understood also that tlie term floatcontrolled valve" as used in the claims is'u'sedin a generic sense to indirate a gradually closing valve operating in any suitable way, whether .used-in connection with a water-closet flushing tank or in 7 some other appropriate situation.

a with-said supply pipe and said. inlet pipe, a

valve seat between the supply pipe and'sald What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'

1. .The'combinati'on with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a float controlled valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed bet-ween said supply pipe and said valve comprising body having a chamber communicating chamber, a regulating valve-in said chamber movable toward and rom said seat, aspring tending to seat the regulating valve and eiiective to close the sa' neby the closing of said float coiitrolle hjialve, and means. in said chamber for guiding the regulating valve and.

holding it against vibration.

'2. The; combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet ipe and a float controlled valve for contro ling the discharge from. said inlet pipe, of aregulator'interposed between saidsupply pipe and said valvecomprising v movable toward and from said seat, a spring.

- vibration.

a body having a chamber communicating. 'with said supply pipe and said inlet pipe, a

valve seatbetween the supply pipe and said chamber,- a regulating valve in said chamber tending to seat the latter valve and effective to close the sameby theclosure-ofsaid float controlledvalve, and a sleeve extending into said chamber and surrounding the regulating valve for guiding it .andholding it against 3.; The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipeeand a float controlled valve for controlling the discharge from said-inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve comprising a body havlnga chamber communicating. with said supply pipe, an elbow' connectingsaid chamher-with said inlet pipe, a sleeve mounted in said body and extending-into said chamber pipe', of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve comprising a body having a chamber"communicatingwith i said supply pipe and with the inlet pipe, a

sleeve mounted on said body and extending into said chamber, a valve slidable'insaid sleeve, said valve being polygonal in crosssection and having corner portions bearing on said .sleeve, a seat for the latter valve; and a spring .tending to close 'the' latter" valve.

end of said sleeve."

8. .A regulator of the, type described come The'combination with a water'sup 1y valve for controlling, the'discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve comprising a body having a chamber communieating with said supply pipe and with the o nal in cross-section and having corner portionsbearing'on said sleeve, a seat for the vpipe, an inlet pipe and; a float contro ed 4 -'m1et pipe, a sleeve mounted on said body I and extending into said -'chamber,:a valve; slidable in-said sleeve, said' valve being polyglatter valve, a spring tendingflto close the latter valve, and means adjustable to vary the tension of said spring. 6. The combination'with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a float controlled valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe,' of a regulator interposedbetween said supply pipe and said valve comprising a body having a'mhamber communicating with said supply pipe and with the inletpipe. a sleeve mounted on said bodyand ax tending into said chamber, a. valve slidable in said sleeve, a screw ad ustably mounted in'said sleeve, a spring interposed between saidscrew and the latter valve for movingsaid valve toward its seat, and a seat for the latter valve; a I

.7. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet ipe and a float controlledv valve for contro g the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply'pipe and said valve comprising a body having a chamber communicating with said supply pipe and with the inlet pipe, a sleeve mounted on said body and ex.-

tending into said chamber, a valve slidable in said sleeve, e screw adjustably mounted in .said sleeve, a spring interposed between said screw and the latter-valve for moving said valve toward its seat, a seat for the latter valve, and a cap mounted on the upper endagainst the upper of said screw and bearing prising a body having 'a valve chamber, a

sleeve tightly connected with said body and extending into and spaced from the wall of said chamber, a needle valve slidable in said sleeve, a seat for said valve, a passage in said sleeve connecting its-interior with said .valve chamber at the opposite side of said valve from said seat, a spring tending to move said valve toward its seat, means for varying the tension of said spring,-and an outlet passage communicating with said chamber.

'- 9. A regulator of the type described comprising a body'having a .valve chamber, a sleeve tightly connectedwith said body and extending into said chamber, a valve having an' elongated stem portion polygonal in cross-section to provide corners engaging the inner face'of said sleeve andslidable longitudmally thereof, a seat for said valve, a

lag

spring tending to move said valve toward its seat, means for var ing the tension of said spring, and an out et passage communicating with said chamber.

10. A re ulator of the type described comprising a o dy having a valve chamber, a sleeve tightly connected with said body and extending into and spaced from the wall of said chamber, a needle valve slidable in said sleeve, a seat for said valve, a passage in said sleeve connecting its interior with said valve chamber at the opposite side of said valve from said seat, a spring tending to move said valve toward its seat, a screw mounted in said sleeve and adjustable to vary the tension of said spring, and an outlet passage communicating with said chamber.

11. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator comprising a regulating valve interposed between the supply pipe and the inlet pipe valve and operating to reduce the pressure of the water admitted to the inlet pipe, and to cut off the admission of water thereto when said inlet pipe valve is closed, said regulating valve being adjustable to vary the pressure of the water discharge from the inlet pipe.

12. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a float controlled valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator comprising a regulating valve adapted when seated to cut off the flow of water from said supply pipe to said inlet pipe, and to be opened by the opening of said fioat controlled valve to admit water at reduced pressure to said inlet pipe, and adjustable spring means dependent upon reaction ary pressure in said supply pipe due to the closing of said float controlled valve for seating said regulating valve.

\ 13. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulater interposed between said supply pipe and, said valve, comprising a body having a chamber communicating with said suppl pipe, an elbow connecting said hamber with said inlet pipe, a sleeve mounted in said body and extending into said chamber past said elbow, a regulating valve slidable in said sleeve, a valve seat between said chamber and the supply pipe, and a spring tending to move the regulating alveinto engagement with said seat. i

14. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet ipe, of a regulator interposed between sai supply pipe and said valve, comprising a body havsaid sleeve and having an elongated stem portion bearing thereon, a valve seat between said chamber and said supply pipe, and a spring tending to move said regulating valve into engagement with said seat. 15. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet 'pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge fromsaid inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve, comprising a body having a chamber communicating with said sup ply pipe and with said inlet pipe, a sleeve mounted on said body and extending into said chamber, a regulating valve slidable in said sleeve and having a stem portion polygso onal in cross section, the corner portions thereof bearing on said sleeve, a valve seat between said chamber and said supply pipe, and a spring tending to move said regulating valve into engagement with said seat. 16. The combination with a Water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve, comprising a body having a chamber communicating With said supply pipe and with said inlet pipe, a valve seat between said chamber and said supply pipe, a regulating needle valve movable into and out of engagement with said seat, and spring or, means-effective to move said regulating valve to its closed position when said first mentioned valve is closed and to permit said regulating valve to open when said first mentioned valve is opened. 1 p

17. The combination with a water supply pipe, an inlet pipe and a valve for controlling the discharge from said inlet pipe, of a regulator interposed between said supply pipe and said valve, comprising a body having a chamber communicating with said supply pipe and with said inlet pipe, a valve seat. etween said chamber and said supply pipe,-a regulating needle valve movable into and out of engagement with said seat, and adjustable spring means effective to move said regulating valve to its closed position when said first mentioned valve is closed and to permit said regulating valve to open when said first ing a chamber communicating with said supply pipe and with said inlet pipe, a sleeve mounted on said body and extending into said chamber, a regulating valve slidable in mentioned valve is opened.

ROBERT A. BROOKS. 

